Adam Pearson has confirmed he has officially handed over the Hull FC keys to new owners Andrew Thirkill and David Hood OBE. Hull FC announced last month that Pearson had entered a period of exclusivity with the pair ahead of a proposed takeover and that deal has now been finalised.
The purchase sees Pearson make way as chairman with Thirkill, who was previously involved at Leeds Rhinos, filling that spot, while Hood will take a seat on the board. It brings an end to Pearson’s 13-year ownership of the Black and Whites having purchased the club back in 2011.
Under Pearson, the club won the Challenge Cup on two occasions, in 2016 and 2017, and came extremely close to reaching a Super League Grand Final. It’s fair to say, the 60-year-old managed to oversee one of the club’s most successful periods in modern times, but he sells the club in order to secure it’s future, having struggled with the financial burden in recent years.
In a statement released by the club, Pearson said: “It gives me great pleasure to confirm that I am today handing over custodianship of this great club to such responsible and worthy individuals as Andrew Thirkill and David Hood OBE. I feel incredibly fortunate for them to have agreed to have taken on the responsibility of the future security and prosperity of the club.
“Both have been the ideal purchasers, exemplified throughout a respectful and confidential handover process, which I am pleased to announce has now been finalised.
“Andrew will become our new Chairman, and David joins the board. To ensure a smooth transition for the start of a brand new era, Andrew and David have already been working hard behind-the-scenes to ensure the club is in the best condition possible for the season ahead.
“It should be recognised that the new shareholders have not only undertaken to inject substantial sums of money into the club, but have also agreed to take no monies from the club for at least a three-year period; no salaries, no management fees, no loan repayments, and no interest.
“Therefore with immediate effect, I am delighted to say that all receipts that come into our club will now be directly benefiting the club, allowing further investment into our playing roster. The club is in a very fortunate position as we look to rebuild.
“I would like to sincerely thank our board members, off-field staff, corporate partners, and our supporters for their incredible support of myself and this great club throughout my ownership across the past thirteen years, and I wish the entire club and its personnel every success going forward.
“I look forward to watching on as a supporter with my family over the years ahead.”
